Radiant Star, Ann Leckie
Radiant Star, Ann Leckie
List: $27.99 | Sale: $19.59
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Radiant Star

Author: Ann Leckie

Narrator: Adjoa Andoh

Unabridged: 10 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Orbit

Published: 05/12/2026


Synopsis

Space opera's sharpest mind returns to the world of the Imperial Radch in this brilliant standalone from award-winning author Ann Leckie.

The Temporal Location of the Radiant Star has always been a source of both conflict and hope for the people of Ooioiaa. However, the imperial Radch see it only as an inconvenience, an antiquated religious site soon to be absorbed into their own, superior culture. But local politics is complicated, and the Radch have made a final concession: One last man will be allowed to join the mummified bodies in the temporal location to become a “living saint”.

But this decision will ripple out to affect every part of the city. Amidst a slowly worsening food shortage, riots, and a communication blackout from the rest of the Radch Empire, a religious savant will entertain visions of his own sainthood, a socialite will discover hir comfortable life upended, and a young man sold into servitude will find unlikely escape.
 
 

About Ann Leckie

The record-breaking winner of the Hugo, Nebula, Arthur C. Clarke and British Science Fiction Association Awards for her debut novel, Ann Leckie lives in St Louis, Missouri, with her husband, children and cats. You can find her website at www.annleckie.com or chat to her on Twitter at @Ann_Leckie.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Caroline on February 21, 2026

Ann Leckie is SO back! This is by far my favorite extended Radch-verse novel outside of the main Ancillary ___ trilogy. 4.5 An ensemble cast gives you a look into a city in crisis at the fringes of the dissolving Radchaai empire. Seemingly small-scale household dramas, political machinations, religio......more

Goodreads review by Kara on May 14, 2026

This was fine. Radiant Star is fine. I want to start this way because I want to ground myself in the actual experience of this book and not succumb to temptation to laud it because of Ann Leckie’s name being attached to it. If you go into this expecting something with the same epic scope as the Impe......more

Goodreads review by AndaReadsTooMuch on May 03, 2026

I did not realize this was part of a larger series. As a standalone yes, but I was so very lost. I think if I’d read the series this book is attached to, I would have been fine. This is a very certain type of sci fi. The beginning grabbed my attention, however after a 30-year time hop, it was deep i......more

Goodreads review by Bente on May 16, 2026

The moment I found out this book existed I pre-ordered it and, in the past weeks, basically vibrated with excitement to lay my eyes upon in. And, thankfully, Radiant Star was so worth the wait! Truly Ann Leckie at her best as she presents us a small, underground city facing occupation from a crumbli......more


Quotes

"[A] rich exploration of self-identification and personhood serve as a fantastic introduction to Leckie’s world."—Polygon: Best of the Year on Translation State

"Leckie’s humane, emotionally intelligent, and deeply perceptive writing makes this tautly plotted adventure feel fundamentally true while also offering longtime fans a much anticipated glimpse into the Radch’s most mysterious species. Readers will be thrilled."—Publishers Weekly on Translation State (Starred Review)

"Another of Leckie’s beautiful mergings of the political, philosophical, and personal."—Kirkus on Translation State (Starred Review)

"Any SF reader who loves political skullduggery told through fascinating and empathetic characters will be captivated by Leckie’s latest foray into the Imperial Radch in all its complexity and corruption. Highly recommended."—Library Journal on Translation State (Starred Review)

"Leckie's ability to seamlessly weave in alternate conceptions of gender, identity, and alien experience remains as strong as ever, as does the propulsive and exciting tenor of her prose. An excellent addition to Leckie's already well-realized and often strange and exciting universe, this new novel is accessible, and essential, to new readers and old fans alike."—Booklist on Translation State (Starred Review)

"In this book that’s part space opera, part coming-of-age tale, part body horror delight, Ann Leckie explores themes of power, gender identity, family, destiny and AI through charming characters, dramatic diplomacy and nail-biting action."—NPR Books on Translation State (Best of the Year)

"I don’t want to spoil anything, so will simply say that the plot always goes where it should but not always where you’d expect. Along the way, Leckie asks big questions about trauma, power, and secrets. She answers them, too….I’ll put my marker down now that this book will be on most of the award slates at the end of the year. It’ll be well-earned.Translation State shows off Leckie’s skills masterfully."—Locus on Translation State

"There are few who write science fiction like Ann Leckie can. There are few who ever could."—John Scalzi

"[Puts] the question of an individual’s right to self-identification—both in terms of gender and species—at the heart of the narrative. . . .Daring, thoughtful novels like Translation State perform vital cultural work to open up new spaces so that we can all remove our disguises and shine like the princexes we were always meant to be."—Los Angeles Review of Books

"Once again, Leckie constructs an intricate science fiction backdrop, otherworldly yet comprehensible, and uses it to ground questions of family, selfhood, and fate. . . .Fans of philosophical science fiction will be enthralled."—Shelf Awareness